I want to know why candidates with oodles of money get preferential treatment and media attention. Why do we have a system that ignores experience, intelligence and reality and instead rewards those who go after cold, hard cash? Culturally, why do we not understand and appreciate age and wisdom above dollars?
I’m supporting Senator Gravel because he’s a breath of fresh air in politics. I want him to irk Hillary, Obama and even John Edwards throughout the primaries. Did you see their expressions after Gravel spoke the truth? I want to see all the candidates answer serious questions with serious answers. I want Senator Gravel to hold their feet to the fire in every single debate. If you want the same from your candidate, please consider helping Senator Gravel stay on the stage.
I was disgusted by some of the inane questions and inane answers last night. The only highlight for me was Mike Gravel telling it like it is. I want him in every debate. He stole the show last night.
is another’s raving lunatic.
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It pains me to say this, but I didn’t see the senior statesman, I saw the comic relief….
the debates will be far more amusing with him than without him.
his responses were cold and bizzare.
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Al Sharpton was funny.
I referred to him as the Democrat’s crazy uncle. Right some of the time. Wildly wrong plenty of time. Crazy all the time. Presumed to be harmless.
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Crazy old uncle.
crazy like a fox. “Bring them home now” does not strike me as crazy in any way. I wish some of those “top tier” candidates would say the same words with as much conviction. I’m already sick to death of the meaningless sound bytes that in no way convey the seriousness of the situation. I’m sticking with Gravel until Al Gore steps in.
eom
I interviewed Mike Gravel in December. What I found then is that he is far from crazy; he is rather an affable and capable politician who happens to have some views that are well out of the mainstream. In this way, Senator Gravel reminds me a little of Ronald Reagan during the 1970s. It’s sometimes hard to remember that Reagan also was dismissed as “crazy” and “out-of-touch with reality” in the years before he won the Presidency.
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I think it’s highly improbable that Gravel will become a contender for the nomination, but his chances should not be dismissed out of hand. If he can build a core group of “true believers,” like Reagan did, and others stumble, he could emerge.
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Even if he doesn’t emerge as a contender, he could give the frontrunners a definite case of agita.
I’ve been searching for quotes from Senator Gravel on his reasoning behind the national sales tax. In a prior post, I provided some links to both conservative and liberal organizations that support this concept. As I expected, his approach is logical. I am also more inclined to consider his national initiative after reading more about his rationale. Your interview was interesting and answered a host of questions about his platform. I agree that he should not be discounted and deserves to be heard.
He has had more experience in government than any other candidate on the stage.
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I’m sorry, what?? True, Gravel’s a breath of fresh air, and it’s nice to see him and Kucinich stirring things up… but the most government experience? Watch those superlatives.
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Let’s compare Mike Gravel to Bill Richardson, purely in governmental experience.
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Mike Gravel:
State Legislator for 4 years (1962-66)
US Senator for 12 years (1969-81)
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That’s all I got for Gravel.
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Bill Richardson:
US Representative for 14 years (1983-1997)
UN Ambassador for 18 months (1/1997 – 7/1998)
Secretary of Energy for 2 1/2 years (7/1998 – 1/2001)
Governor of New Mexico for 4 years (2003 – present)
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Unless I’m missing something huge (am I?), that’s 16 years for Gravel and 22 years for Richardson, including significant executive and diplomatic experience.
Senator Gravel has devoted the last 15 years of his life to populist causes such as The National Initiative. And, please don’t forget who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional record. All in all, Richardson has more years as an established politician, but I’m going to say that Gravel has more years devoted to standing up for what he believes in and fighting for democracy. In my book, Senator Gravel’s experiences (from cab driver to special agent in the Counter Intelligen Corps and brake lineman on the Alaska railroad) makes him quite unique and yes, gives him more experience than anyone else on the stage. Having lived in Alaska and worked for a state senator, I can say that Senator Gravel’s history is remarkable and different from those who only understand politics in the lower 48.
I watched and it was painful to see him.
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One of the not ready for prime time players, in fact part of the part of the ” I stepped on the wrong pedal crew, how did I get in the deli section ” crew.
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This is like the survivor series- and you necessarily do not get the best one.
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Move on- next, take your belongings before exiting
These comments bring to mind something that’s a real problem with this country, I think. If a person’s behavior/dress/ appearance, etc doesn’t fit into a narrowly defined range that is mainstream/acceptable/desirable, then you don’t get taken seriously. Marginalized at best and at worse, you are written off as “crazy” (and that perpetuates stigma r/t certain brain illnesses).
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To be honest, I feel that way some of the time when I let myself get passionate talking about universal hc reform. It’s like if a person doesn’t stay within some Madison Ave. defined range of behaviors, speech, etc, there’s something wrong with you. And then what you say isn’t even listened to.
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It seems like a real shame to limit oursleves in this way. It’s not normal. Has our country always been like this?
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Gravel Rocks! I like it đŸ™‚
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